Field Experiences in Corrosion Diagnosis and Remediation Solutions for the Bridge Infrastructure of México
Rafael Soto-Espitia Centro de Investigación en Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas – UAEM, Ave Universidad 1001, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. 62210 espitia78@hotmail.com José Roberto Vázquez González Caminos y Puentes Federales de Ingresos y Servicios Conexos, Calzada de los Reyes 24, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. 62130 Salvador Ascencio Centro de Innovación en Integridad de Infraestructura y Ductos, Rio Nazas 6, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. 6290l
Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, UNAM, Ave Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. 62210 Edgar Maya Centro de Innovación en Integridad de Infraestructura y Ductos, Rio Nazas 6, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. 6290l Jorge I. Canto Corrosión y Protección Ingeniería S.C., Rio Nazas 6, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. 6290l
Lorenzo Martínez de La Escalera Corrosión y Protección Ingeniería S.C., Rio Nazas 6, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. 6290l Lorenzo Martínez-Gómez ABSTRACT The research initiative to be described relates to the concern of the current Mexican transportation agencies about infrastructure integrity particularly in the sector of highway bridges. We report analytical and field work on corrosion diagnosis, solution development, and monitoring of a set of bridges representative of past and emerging construction technologies under the scope of corrosion engineering in tropical environments. We consider three reinforced concrete bridges, two of which are cable-stayed systems. Diagnostic procedures were applied on piles as well as other structural components involving field visual inspections as well as concrete resistivity, impact strength, and reinforcing steel–concrete electrolyte half cell potentials. Age and sea coast proximity were two important factors affecting the reinforced concrete integrity. The oldest bridge over seawater exhibited a significant need for attention and repair. A CP (cathodic protection) system was installed including a remote monitoring